SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

BOXING

Vazquez beats Shafikov

Miguel Vazquez of Mexico retained his IBF world lightweight title on Saturday with a unanimous points decision over Denis Shafikov of Russia. Vazquez (34-3, 13 KOs) won the 12-round contest 115-113, 116-112, 119-109 to inflict the first defeat on Los Angeles-based Shafikov (33-0-1, 17 Kos). In the last bout on the card, two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time amateur world champion Zou Shiming of China produced the first knockout win of his unbeaten four-bout professional career when he knocked down Yokthong Kokietgym of Thailand 2 minutes, 9 seconds into the seventh round of their flyweight fight. The 32-year-old Zou is hoping to set up a shot at a world title fight.

GOLF

Els into Match Play semis

Ernie Els has reached the semi-finals of the Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona, for the first time in 13 years. The four-time major champion still has not played great golf at Dove Mountain, but it was good enough to get past Jordan Spieth, who was clearly frustrated in losing on the 16th hole. Graeme McDowell had a lead for the first time all week — and he wound up losing. His magical week ended on the 18th hole when he lost to Victor Dubuisson of France in a tight match. Els next plays the Frenchman. Jason Day took out an ailing Louis Oosthuizen to reach the semi-finals for the second straight year. Day next plays Rickie Fowler, who won the last two holes for a 1-up win over Jim Furyk.

SOCCER

Roma beat Bologna 1-0

Belgian international Radja Nainggolan hit his maiden goal for AS Roma in a 1-0 win at Bologna that reduced the gap on Serie A leaders to six points on Saturday. Roma’s 17th win kept them in second, but with a game in hand, Rudi Garcia’s title challengers were looking for Torino to cause an upset in the derby away to leaders Juventus yesterday. Bologna had won only once in their past seven games and welcomed Roma to the Dell’Ara stadium as the underdogs, having beaten the Giallorossi only twice in the sides’ past 12 games. Garcia was missing Francesco Totti, Douglas Maicon, Federico Balzaretti and Dodo meaning a rare start for Rodrigo Taddei and youngster Alessio Romagnoli at the back while Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman started on the bench.

RUGBY UNION

Sharks rout Hurricanes 27-9

Tries in each half by Willem Alberts and Lwazi Mvovo helped the Sharks to a comprehensive 27-9 victory over the Hurricanes in their Super rugby clash at King’s Park in Durban on Saturday. Flyhalf Pat Lambie added five penalties and a conversion for the South Africans, while the New Zealanders replied with two penalties from Beauden Barrett and a long-range effort by fullback Marty Banks. The home side’s first try saw powerful loose forward Alberts crash over the line after the Sharks had mauled the ball close. The second came when wing Mvovo intercepted a Barrett pass before speeding away. The Hurricanes had Adam Hill yellow-carded a minute into his debut, after coming off the bench in the second half, when he lifted Mvovo into the air in a tackle and failed to bring him down safely. In Johannesburg, the Lions surprised again after their promotion back to Super rugby with a 34-10 win over the Stormers on Saturday, with flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff kicking three dropped goals in his 29 points.